Lewisham 2017 - May is an elderly lady, she has had a stroke and is now in a care home unable to speak or do anything for herself which is a sources of agitation and much misunderstanding. She looks back on her marriage to abusive Alain in 1977 and the birth of her daughter Jenny and alternates between 2017/18 and 1977/78 which works really well.

The early part of May’s life is a very chilling, terrifying and heartbreaking portrayal of an abusive relationship, with the constant tension of egg shell treading as she tries to survive the mood swings and manipulation of a man who had hidden his dark side. It’s not an easy read but it is an extremely well written account which at times makes you gasp in shock. The older May is feisty, acerbic, darkly humorous and deeply frustrated at her attempts to communicate and this is a good contrast to her younger self. There are some really good characters, some to hate and some to love. The end is surprising and takes a bit of figuring out but it’s a very clever twist.

Overall, this is a really good psychological drama. It has sadness, tragedy, poignancy, heartbreak, misunderstanding and guilt. It makes you angry for the young May, it makes you frustrated for her too and at times it makes you want to cry.

With thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the copy in return for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the eARC
Release date: 12-NOV-2020

As a young woman, May found that sometimes it was easier to say nothing and cope with what life threw at her in silence. Now, decades later, May has suffered a stroke and has lost her ability to speak. She is still as sharp as ever, but only her daughter and a new friend from the care home, see this.

When May discovers that someone very familiar, from long ago, is living in the room opposite hers she is haunted by scenes from her earlier life. May is determined to protect everyone from this new threat, but how can she warn them without her voice?

I completely devoured this book! Stopps is a talented writer and successfully sets up a bleak picture. The books main themes of abuse and violence are very dark and serious but the book is also funny at times through May’s thoughts. May’s characterisation was done well as she was an old battered women but she was also warm, kind, and witty. I felt May’s frustrations at being unable to communicate with those around her.

It was cleverly written with alternating chapters between the past and the present. The past chapters telling the story of May’s earlier life coping with the abuse at the hands of her husband were cleverly placed helping to keep the storyline moving as well as building intrigue and tension. But nothing could have prepared me for the shocking twist at the end.

#TheStrangerSheKnew #NetGalley
An exceptionally powerful psychological thriller.
May found that sometimes it was easier to say nothing and cope with what life threw at her in silence. Now, decades later, May has suffered a stroke and has lost her ability to speak. She is still as sharp as ever, but only her daughter and a new friend from the care home, see this.When May discovers that someone very familiar, from long ago, is living in the room opposite hers she is haunted by scenes from her earlier life. May is determined to protect everyone from this new threat, but how can she warn them without her voice? And who really is this man charming everyone in May’s life?
I loved it's narration.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for giving me an advance copy.